The Minority in Parliament has described the late former Senior Minister under the Kufuor administration JH Mensah as an “exceptionally and profoundly brilliant economist.”

Mr. Mensah who was a founding member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), serving in numerous capacities at both party and national levels died Wednesday evening whilst seeking medical treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.

Empathizing with the family of Mr. Mensah and the NPP following the death of the former statesman in Parliament Thursday the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu said the former parliamentarian served Ghana diligently.

“He was an exceptionally and, profoundly brilliant economist. One of few gifted with God’s gift of thinking on his feet momentarily at all times. He has made significant contribution to the economic and political development of our country,” said Mr. Iddrisu adding “We are [therefore] justified as a nation to be in grief and to celebrate his departure not mourn his death.”

The Minority Leader further posited that “we’ve lost a father, we’ve lost a political colossus. Our sympathy and condolences to the immediate family, to the president and members of the New Patriotic Party and the nation at large.”

He said the Minority lost an opportunity to visit Mr. Mensah when they had information that he was not well, noting that “countless Ghanaians will miss him” as he was “an inspiration to many of us particularly in this house.”

Below is the biography of the late JH Mensah

Joseph Henry Mensah was educated at the University of Gold Coast (now University of Ghana) between 1948 and 1954.

He proceeded to the University of London in 1954 and studied for both Bachelors and Master degrees in Economics. Mr. Mensah also had a stint at the Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA, and specialised in Economic Theory and Development.

His working experience dates back to 1953 when he was appointed as an Assistant Inspector of Taxes by the colonial administration.

The Senior Minister of Government Business also worked as a Research Fellow in Economics at the University of Ghana between 1954 and 1958.He joined the United Nations Secretariat in 1958 as an Economic Affairs Officer at the Centre for Development Planning, Projections and Policies, in New York.

In 1961, Mr. Mensah was the Head of Agency at the National Planning commission of the Government of Ghana, which drew and implemented the country’s Seven-Year Development Plan (1962 ­ 1969).

During the Progress Party (PP) administration (1969-1972), he was the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning as well as a Member of Parliament (MP).

Between 1974 and now, Mr. Mensah has worked in different capacities both at home and abroad. These include Chairman and Managing Director, Development and Managing Director, Development and Management Consultants (Ghana) Ltd; Chairman, Sunyani District Council (1978-1981), and Proprietor of Banka Farms Limited.

Mr. Mensah served as a member of the African Advisory Council of the African Development Bank (ADB) between 1993 and 1997.